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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSix months after Rolex introduced the Explorer II 226570, Fratello writer Dave Sergeant’s verdict was that the restrained update still appealed: the slimmer lugs improved the watch’s silhouette in his view, while the movement and bracelet changes brought practical refinements. It was not the dramatic redesign some enthusiasts had hoped for—most notably, it did not add a ceramic bezel.
What changed on the 2021 Explorer II?
The 226570 was an iterative update to the preceding Explorer II generation, not a wholesale redesign. Sergeant contrasted it with the more consequential 2011 introduction of the 42 mm case: “The update of the new Explorer II 226570 is less significant than the previous versions launched back in 2011 when Rolex first introduced the 42mm case size.”
The case kept its 42 mm diameter
The new reference remained 42 mm across. Its lugs were slimmed down, and Sergeant preferred the resulting profile, describing it as more elegant. That is his visual assessment, not a measured change in how the watch fits on the wrist.
The movement and bracelet were refreshed
Sergeant reported that the 226570 received caliber 3285, also used in the GMT-Master II collection. In his account, the movement averaged +2 / -2 seconds per day and offered a 70-hour power reserve; he also noted its blue Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers.
#1 Best Overall
- Imported
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Minor scratches and wear on case and band.
- Case Size/Width: 42mm, Watch Height: 12mm, Band Width: 21mm, Wrist circumference: 8.0"
- Band material: Stainless Steel
- Case material: Stainless Steel
The bracelet’s practical details included an Oysterlock folding safety clasp and Easylink comfort extension, which Sergeant said adjusts its length by approximately 5 mm. He also described a concealed attachment system that creates visual continuity between the bracelet and case.
Why did some enthusiasts expect a bigger change?
Before the launch, some enthusiasts expected a ceramic Cerachrom bezel. Sergeant noted that online mockups helped fuel that expectation, but the 226570 did not receive one. The bezel was a community hope, not a feature Rolex had announced and then removed.
Rank #2
- [Compatibility with Rolex Explorer 42mm] This product is a screen and body full cover protective film for the Rolex Explorer 42mm.
- [Scratch Proof] This is a thin PPF (Paint Protection Film) product. This PPF is a specialized protective film created to safeguard high-end products. It has a thickness of merely 180 microns, which is equivalent to a minuscule 0.007 inches. This product has a strong tensile strength that is capable of preventing scratches typically encountered in automotive applications. It can effectively protect against scratches that commonly occur in daily life.
- [Glossy Clear Skin] It has high durability and minimal visibility of flaws during installation.
- [Bubble Free] After attaching, even if there are bubbles, they all disappear within a few days.
- [How to Attachment] Please watch the attached installation video and proceed with the installation. It is not difficult and will require approximately 30 ~ 40 minutes of your time.
That gap between expectation and delivery helps explain the mixed stakes of an incremental update. For someone who wanted the familiar 42 mm Explorer II with refinements to its case profile, movement and bracelet, the changes could matter. For someone anticipating a conspicuous visual break—especially a ceramic bezel—the update could feel underwhelming.
Did interest still look strong six months later?
Sergeant’s September 16, 2021 assessment offered a personal snapshot, not a market-wide measure. He said he had not seen a 226570 in shop displays, while acknowledging that he had not specifically asked an authorized dealer about one. He also cited a Chrono24.co.uk search showing asking prices of £9,413–£11,500, compared with a UK retail price of £6,800; he described the upper end as 69% above retail.
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- Imported
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Minor scratches on case and band.
- Case Size/Width: 39mm, Watch Height: 11mm, Band Width: 20mm, Wrist circumference: 7.5"
- Band material: Stainless Steel
- Case material: Stainless Steel
Those were figures and observations reported by Sergeant in 2021. The Chrono24 numbers were asking prices, not confirmed sale prices, and they say nothing about present-day pricing or availability. On that limited evidence, he judged that he could not see interest visibly waning; it should be understood as his interpretation at the time, not a comprehensive demand finding.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who was the update likely to satisfy?
- If you wanted refinement without a new size: The retained 42 mm diameter and slimmer lugs preserved the familiar outline while giving Sergeant a more elegant profile to appreciate.
- If you valued practical specification changes: The reported 3285 movement, 70-hour reserve, Oysterlock clasp and Easylink adjustment were meaningful updates even if they were not dramatic from across the room.
- If you wanted a ceramic-bezel redesign: The update did not deliver that enthusiast expectation.
In the six-month view published in 2021, Sergeant’s answer to whether the incremental changes mattered was broadly yes. His positive reaction rested on useful refinements and the slimmer-lug design, while the absence of a Cerachrom bezel marked the clearest limit for readers hoping for a more radical change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- skoko [1Set Full Package] Body Protection Film Compatible with Rolex Explorer2 40mm Ref. 16570, Glossy Clear Skin, Full Coverage, Anti Scartch, Extra pieces for tricky areas
- [Scratch Proof] This is a thin PPF (Paint Protection Film) product. This PPF is a specialized protective film created to safeguard high-end products. It has a thickness of merely 180 microns, which is equivalent to a minuscule 0.007 inches. This product has a strong tensile strength that is capable of preventing scratches typically encountered in automotive applications. It can effectively protect against scratches that commonly occur in daily life.
- [Glossy Clear Skin] It has high durability and minimal visibility of flaws during installation.
- [Bubble Free] After attaching, even if there are bubbles, they all disappear within a few days.
- [How to Attachment] Please watch the attached installation video and proceed with the installation. It is not difficult and will require approximately 30 ~ 40 minutes of your time.
Rank #4
- Pre-Loved Condition: Excellent; Light scratching and tarnishing throughout hardware
- Made in Switzerland
- Deployant clasp closure
- Signature upon delivery required
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